I hope you enjoy this chapter; I tried to involve the other Cliffhangers. I
plan to involve them in the next chapter too. Please review.
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The Cliffhangers just got out of their last class of the day. They were all a little lost because they had been on a hike and missed two sessions of History. They had about an hour of free time until it was time for dinner.
Daisy, David, Kristen, and Auggie headed towards the lodge while Scott, Ezra, Shelby, Katherine, and Katie went back to the dorms.
Auggie, Daisy, David, and Kristen headed for a table in the cafeteria. David had a deck of cards and they all planned on playing a game. Well, everyone except Daisy, she was not one for card games. She was just going to watch.
"Okay guys, what do ya want to play?" David asked as he started shuffling the card deck.
"I am the champ at Blackjack." Kristen bragged.
David couldn't resist a chance to take that title away from Kristen so he said, "Blackjack it is."
David dealt a card to Auggie, himself, and Kristen, Auggie got a nine, David got a jack, and Kristen got a two.
"Good job 'champ.'" Daisy sarcastically said to Kristen.
"Yeah, yeah, just deal another one." Kristen mumbled.
David then dealt another card face down to himself, Auggie, and Kristen. Each of them secretly turned over their second card so their opponents couldn't see. Auggie got a seven, David got a ten, and Kristen got a king.
"Hit me." Kristen told David.
David reached over and lightly punched her.
"Hey!" Kristen exclaimed, getting a few peoples attention.
"What?" David asked innocently, "You told me to hit you."
"Hit me again, and you'll lose your arm! Now give me a damn card." Kristen shot out.
David gave her another card, it was an eight. She knew by the devilish grin on David's face, he had something good.
"Gimme another." Kristen demanded she knew she had to have some serious luck on her side.
David first asked Auggie what he wanted to do, and Auggie said "I'll stay."
David then gave Kristen another card like she asked for. It was a four this time.
"Damnit to hell." Kristen cursed out loud.
"You didn't go over did you?" David asked, even though he knew she did.
"What's with all the harsh words?" Katie jokingly asked, as she came up to the table with Juliette.
Kristen ignored the comment and said looking at David, "Let's go again, this time I deal. I don't trust you."
"Fine, but I will still beat ya." David said as he handed the deck to Kristen.
"You two in on this?" Kristen asked Juliette and Katie as she shuffled the deck several times.
"Sure, I've got nothing better to do?" Katie said as she took a seat next to David, so if Jules wanted to she could sit by Auggie.
"Okay." Juliette replied as she slid down next to Auggie, she didn't have a perky voice like usual, she was tired.
Kristen finished shuffling the deck and dealt out the first card to all of them. Katie got a queen, Juliette got a ten, Auggie got an ace, David got a nine, and Kristen got a five.
She waited for everyone to look at their card, and then looked around the table listening for those who wanted another card.
"Hit me." Juliette said as she reached for her card.
"Yeah me too." Auggie told Kristen.
"Oh, why not." David sighed.
"Hit me too." Katie added.
Kristen gave everyone a card and also gave herself a card.
David got a king which gave him nineteen, Katie got an eight with gave her eighteen, Auggie got a seven which gave him eight because he used the ace as a one instead of a ten, Juliette got an eight which also gave her eighteen, and Kristen got a ten which gave her fifteen.
Kristen looked at her hand then back around to see if anyone wanted another card. Only Auggie requested another card, so Kristen gave herself a card and Auggie a card.
"Does anyone want any other cards?" David asked, eager to reveal his number, "Okay, so what does everyone have?" He then revealed his nineteen.
There were sighs from Juliette and Katie telling that they only came close to David's nineteen. But they didn't beat it.
Kristen revealed that she also had a nineteen, David and Kristen both gaped in awe at the fact that their was a tie for first place, but then Auggie laid down his cards revealing that he got a twenty-one.
"I beat all of ya." He said with a smile on his face.
Right as that hand ended, Katherine and Ezra walked in.
Before Ezra could sit down, Daisy stood up and said, "Come on Ez, there is too much happiness for me right now."
Ezra didn't argue he just went along with her.
Katherine looked at the remaining Cliffhangers and said, "What are you playing?"
"Blackjack." Katie told.
"Can I join?" Katherine politely asked.
"Sure, another lovely lady is always welcome," David replied, trying to be charming.
Katherine, along with all of the other girls at the table, rolled her eyes and looked for a seat.
Juliette noticed Katherine looking for a chair and then she said as she glanced over at Scott and Shelby cuddling together on the couch. Shelby let out a small laugh, "Here Kat, you can have my seat. Auggie and I were just getting ready to go for a walk."
Auggie looked as if he had no idea what she was talking about, but he put his cards on the table and stood up with Juliette, and the two left.
Katherine sat down and the four of them started another round of blackjack.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
For the first five minutes of the car ride, Cole and Brian were silent. Cole was embarrassed of the situation he was put in and Brian didn't know what to say.
Cole reached for the radio dial and scanned to see what was on. He came to a rap station and heard the rap song playing and leaned back against the seat.
"You're not serious are you?" Brian asked Cole about the music.
Cole chuckled a little then hit the scan button again and a country station came on. Brian noticed the song and started to sing a verse of it. Cole now started laughing at Brian's singing ability and his choice in music.
"Okay, I get it. We'll see what else is on." Brian said as he reached for the dial this time.
The next kind of music came on and it was rock alternative. Brian looked at Cole hoping to hear another complaint, but he saw Cole looking out the window nodding his head to the beat of the music.
The truck pulled up to the restaurant Rusty O'Brian's, Cole got out of the car and headed into the restaurant with Brian right behind him. The two of them took a seat in a booth and looked at a menu.
After they ordered, Cole said, "Man, it will be good to eat some actual food for once."
"Aw come on, it can't be that bad back at Horizon." Brian responded.
Cole laughed and then took a sip of his water. Before they could carry on their conversation, the waitress came over to them.
"What can I get you two to drink?" She asked.
"Coffee please," Brian and the waitress looked at him funny and then he added, "make it a coke instead." Boy had he missed his caffeine buzz.
"And I'll have a beer please," Brian said, he then remembered about Cole and that he and alcohol got into trouble before, "Actually I'll just have a glass of water."
The waitress started to walk away but was stopped by the two of them. They were ready to order. After the waitress got their order, she headed back to put their order in and get their drinks.
"You didn't have to do that." Cole said, referring to Brian changing his drink order.
"Don't worry about it," Brian told Cole, "by the way, I have some good news for you."
"Good, I need some good news." Cole replied, not having the slightest clue as to what it could be.
"Well, your dad has been sentenced to twelve years in prison with no chance of probation." Brian informed.
The air around Cole seemed to stop all of a sudden, "When? How do you know?" Cole asked, not believing Brian at first.
"He was sentenced two weeks ago. I was there, I was asked to testify against him." Brian informed.
Cole let out a huge sigh of relief. He was speechless. There was a moment of silence, and then Cole said, "I hope he dies in there."
Before Brian could respond the waitress brought their food. Before they began Cole asked Brian if they could talk about things back home, not about his father, or his plans for when he went home for break. He wanted to enjoy his night out. Brian didn't object.
The two of them laughed and joked during the whole meal, Cole brought up times that he had back home and he and he asked Brian about some of his friends.
"How is Cody doing?" Cole asked, referring to his best friend from back home.
Brian paused for a second then said, "Well, he is now serving a two year sentence in Juvie."
Cole didn't look too surprised, "For what?" he asked.
"Robbery and possession." Brian said briefly as he took a sip of his water.
"Damnit," Cole said, not loud, but loud enough for Brian to hear, "stupid bastard."
"I can't believe they allow you to swear back at Horizon." Brian said, knowing that they didn't, but hinting to Cole that he was to stop it.
Cole didn't reply he just moved his food around with his fork.
"You in the mood for more good news?" Brian asked as he took a bite of his burger.
"I guess." Cole replied as he took the last of his fries and put them in his mouth.
"I talked to your probation officer."
"Yeah? What she say?" Cole asked he seemed to cheer up now.
"Well, she said that you coming here will help your probation in a good way. She says that your probation will be deducted by a year and that you will be able to get your driver's learner's permit when you turn sixteen." Brian informed.
"So I still have to stay here until I graduate?" Cole asked, hoping that his Horizon sentence would be deducted also.
"Yes," Brian said, looking at his watch, "well, I think it is time we get you back."
The two of them stood up, Brian left some money on the table to cover the tip and the bill and the two headed out to the door. On the way out, Cole took one of the complementary toothpicks, and then he thought, 'what the hell', then he grabbed all the toothpicks that were there.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Cole and Brian stepped out of the truck and walked back into the administration building to meet Peter. The ride back seemed a lot faster than the ride to the restaurant, because the two of them were actually having a conversation.
"Um, thanks for dinner Brian." Cole said shyly.
"No problem, it was good to see you again." Brian replied.
"Are you leaving now, I mean to go home?" Cole asked.
"Nah, my flight isn't until tomorrow. I thought I would stop by and see if you have an answer or not. But don't worry if you don't. There is no rush." Brian reassured.
"'K, I will see you tomorrow then," Cole said as he headed up the steps and into the building, "later."
"Bye." Brian said, he went back to his truck and made sure that Cole went into the building.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Cole knocked on Peter's door and he replied, "Come in."
"Just wanted to tell you I was back." Cole simply said.
"Okay," Peter responded, noticing that Cole came back happier than when he left, "group in ten in the lodge. Then after that I need to talk to you."
"Yeah, yeah." Cole said as he walked out.
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Please review.
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The Cliffhangers just got out of their last class of the day. They were all a little lost because they had been on a hike and missed two sessions of History. They had about an hour of free time until it was time for dinner.
Daisy, David, Kristen, and Auggie headed towards the lodge while Scott, Ezra, Shelby, Katherine, and Katie went back to the dorms.
Auggie, Daisy, David, and Kristen headed for a table in the cafeteria. David had a deck of cards and they all planned on playing a game. Well, everyone except Daisy, she was not one for card games. She was just going to watch.
"Okay guys, what do ya want to play?" David asked as he started shuffling the card deck.
"I am the champ at Blackjack." Kristen bragged.
David couldn't resist a chance to take that title away from Kristen so he said, "Blackjack it is."
David dealt a card to Auggie, himself, and Kristen, Auggie got a nine, David got a jack, and Kristen got a two.
"Good job 'champ.'" Daisy sarcastically said to Kristen.
"Yeah, yeah, just deal another one." Kristen mumbled.
David then dealt another card face down to himself, Auggie, and Kristen. Each of them secretly turned over their second card so their opponents couldn't see. Auggie got a seven, David got a ten, and Kristen got a king.
"Hit me." Kristen told David.
David reached over and lightly punched her.
"Hey!" Kristen exclaimed, getting a few peoples attention.
"What?" David asked innocently, "You told me to hit you."
"Hit me again, and you'll lose your arm! Now give me a damn card." Kristen shot out.
David gave her another card, it was an eight. She knew by the devilish grin on David's face, he had something good.
"Gimme another." Kristen demanded she knew she had to have some serious luck on her side.
David first asked Auggie what he wanted to do, and Auggie said "I'll stay."
David then gave Kristen another card like she asked for. It was a four this time.
"Damnit to hell." Kristen cursed out loud.
"You didn't go over did you?" David asked, even though he knew she did.
"What's with all the harsh words?" Katie jokingly asked, as she came up to the table with Juliette.
Kristen ignored the comment and said looking at David, "Let's go again, this time I deal. I don't trust you."
"Fine, but I will still beat ya." David said as he handed the deck to Kristen.
"You two in on this?" Kristen asked Juliette and Katie as she shuffled the deck several times.
"Sure, I've got nothing better to do?" Katie said as she took a seat next to David, so if Jules wanted to she could sit by Auggie.
"Okay." Juliette replied as she slid down next to Auggie, she didn't have a perky voice like usual, she was tired.
Kristen finished shuffling the deck and dealt out the first card to all of them. Katie got a queen, Juliette got a ten, Auggie got an ace, David got a nine, and Kristen got a five.
She waited for everyone to look at their card, and then looked around the table listening for those who wanted another card.
"Hit me." Juliette said as she reached for her card.
"Yeah me too." Auggie told Kristen.
"Oh, why not." David sighed.
"Hit me too." Katie added.
Kristen gave everyone a card and also gave herself a card.
David got a king which gave him nineteen, Katie got an eight with gave her eighteen, Auggie got a seven which gave him eight because he used the ace as a one instead of a ten, Juliette got an eight which also gave her eighteen, and Kristen got a ten which gave her fifteen.
Kristen looked at her hand then back around to see if anyone wanted another card. Only Auggie requested another card, so Kristen gave herself a card and Auggie a card.
"Does anyone want any other cards?" David asked, eager to reveal his number, "Okay, so what does everyone have?" He then revealed his nineteen.
There were sighs from Juliette and Katie telling that they only came close to David's nineteen. But they didn't beat it.
Kristen revealed that she also had a nineteen, David and Kristen both gaped in awe at the fact that their was a tie for first place, but then Auggie laid down his cards revealing that he got a twenty-one.
"I beat all of ya." He said with a smile on his face.
Right as that hand ended, Katherine and Ezra walked in.
Before Ezra could sit down, Daisy stood up and said, "Come on Ez, there is too much happiness for me right now."
Ezra didn't argue he just went along with her.
Katherine looked at the remaining Cliffhangers and said, "What are you playing?"
"Blackjack." Katie told.
"Can I join?" Katherine politely asked.
"Sure, another lovely lady is always welcome," David replied, trying to be charming.
Katherine, along with all of the other girls at the table, rolled her eyes and looked for a seat.
Juliette noticed Katherine looking for a chair and then she said as she glanced over at Scott and Shelby cuddling together on the couch. Shelby let out a small laugh, "Here Kat, you can have my seat. Auggie and I were just getting ready to go for a walk."
Auggie looked as if he had no idea what she was talking about, but he put his cards on the table and stood up with Juliette, and the two left.
Katherine sat down and the four of them started another round of blackjack.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
For the first five minutes of the car ride, Cole and Brian were silent. Cole was embarrassed of the situation he was put in and Brian didn't know what to say.
Cole reached for the radio dial and scanned to see what was on. He came to a rap station and heard the rap song playing and leaned back against the seat.
"You're not serious are you?" Brian asked Cole about the music.
Cole chuckled a little then hit the scan button again and a country station came on. Brian noticed the song and started to sing a verse of it. Cole now started laughing at Brian's singing ability and his choice in music.
"Okay, I get it. We'll see what else is on." Brian said as he reached for the dial this time.
The next kind of music came on and it was rock alternative. Brian looked at Cole hoping to hear another complaint, but he saw Cole looking out the window nodding his head to the beat of the music.
The truck pulled up to the restaurant Rusty O'Brian's, Cole got out of the car and headed into the restaurant with Brian right behind him. The two of them took a seat in a booth and looked at a menu.
After they ordered, Cole said, "Man, it will be good to eat some actual food for once."
"Aw come on, it can't be that bad back at Horizon." Brian responded.
Cole laughed and then took a sip of his water. Before they could carry on their conversation, the waitress came over to them.
"What can I get you two to drink?" She asked.
"Coffee please," Brian and the waitress looked at him funny and then he added, "make it a coke instead." Boy had he missed his caffeine buzz.
"And I'll have a beer please," Brian said, he then remembered about Cole and that he and alcohol got into trouble before, "Actually I'll just have a glass of water."
The waitress started to walk away but was stopped by the two of them. They were ready to order. After the waitress got their order, she headed back to put their order in and get their drinks.
"You didn't have to do that." Cole said, referring to Brian changing his drink order.
"Don't worry about it," Brian told Cole, "by the way, I have some good news for you."
"Good, I need some good news." Cole replied, not having the slightest clue as to what it could be.
"Well, your dad has been sentenced to twelve years in prison with no chance of probation." Brian informed.
The air around Cole seemed to stop all of a sudden, "When? How do you know?" Cole asked, not believing Brian at first.
"He was sentenced two weeks ago. I was there, I was asked to testify against him." Brian informed.
Cole let out a huge sigh of relief. He was speechless. There was a moment of silence, and then Cole said, "I hope he dies in there."
Before Brian could respond the waitress brought their food. Before they began Cole asked Brian if they could talk about things back home, not about his father, or his plans for when he went home for break. He wanted to enjoy his night out. Brian didn't object.
The two of them laughed and joked during the whole meal, Cole brought up times that he had back home and he and he asked Brian about some of his friends.
"How is Cody doing?" Cole asked, referring to his best friend from back home.
Brian paused for a second then said, "Well, he is now serving a two year sentence in Juvie."
Cole didn't look too surprised, "For what?" he asked.
"Robbery and possession." Brian said briefly as he took a sip of his water.
"Damnit," Cole said, not loud, but loud enough for Brian to hear, "stupid bastard."
"I can't believe they allow you to swear back at Horizon." Brian said, knowing that they didn't, but hinting to Cole that he was to stop it.
Cole didn't reply he just moved his food around with his fork.
"You in the mood for more good news?" Brian asked as he took a bite of his burger.
"I guess." Cole replied as he took the last of his fries and put them in his mouth.
"I talked to your probation officer."
"Yeah? What she say?" Cole asked he seemed to cheer up now.
"Well, she said that you coming here will help your probation in a good way. She says that your probation will be deducted by a year and that you will be able to get your driver's learner's permit when you turn sixteen." Brian informed.
"So I still have to stay here until I graduate?" Cole asked, hoping that his Horizon sentence would be deducted also.
"Yes," Brian said, looking at his watch, "well, I think it is time we get you back."
The two of them stood up, Brian left some money on the table to cover the tip and the bill and the two headed out to the door. On the way out, Cole took one of the complementary toothpicks, and then he thought, 'what the hell', then he grabbed all the toothpicks that were there.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Cole and Brian stepped out of the truck and walked back into the administration building to meet Peter. The ride back seemed a lot faster than the ride to the restaurant, because the two of them were actually having a conversation.
"Um, thanks for dinner Brian." Cole said shyly.
"No problem, it was good to see you again." Brian replied.
"Are you leaving now, I mean to go home?" Cole asked.
"Nah, my flight isn't until tomorrow. I thought I would stop by and see if you have an answer or not. But don't worry if you don't. There is no rush." Brian reassured.
"'K, I will see you tomorrow then," Cole said as he headed up the steps and into the building, "later."
"Bye." Brian said, he went back to his truck and made sure that Cole went into the building.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Cole knocked on Peter's door and he replied, "Come in."
"Just wanted to tell you I was back." Cole simply said.
"Okay," Peter responded, noticing that Cole came back happier than when he left, "group in ten in the lodge. Then after that I need to talk to you."
"Yeah, yeah." Cole said as he walked out.
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Please review.